Arrowroot Powder Benefits

Jan 13
09:53

2010

Thelma Oliver

Thelma Oliver

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Arrowroot powder is a starch thickener derived from the dried roots of the arrowroot plant, Maranta arundinacea. It originated with aborigines of West Indies and with the Arawak Tribe to cure arrow poisoning. This is how the name arrowroot was coined. Brazil, Thailand, Bengal, Philippines, Mauritius and West Africa are teeming with arrowroot plants.

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Arrowroot powder is derived from the rhizomes of the Arrowroot plant, Arrowroot Powder Benefits Articles scientifically named Maranta arundinacea. It was used as a remedy for arrow poisoning which started with the natives of the Arawak tribe in the West Indies. This is how the name arrowroot was coined. The arrowroot plant is now predominantly grown in Brazil, Thailand, Bengal, Philippines, Mauritius and West Africa. The arrowroot plant is abundant in countries like Brazil, Thailand, Bengal, Philippines, Maritius and West Africa.

Arrowroot tubers are cleaned, washed twice and drained. It then turns into a pulp and crushed in a wooden mortar until it forms into liquid milk. The liquid milk goes through a strainer, after some time pure starch settles at the bottom and drained. After thorough cleansing, it is placed in a drying house or under the sun to dry. The result is arrowroot powder ready for packing, to be placed in air-tight containers or packages.

The characteristics of bulk arrowroot powder are similar to that of a cornstarch. Cornstarch and flour is as unscented, flavorless, and dry as arrowroot powder. It is chiefly used to give food a concentrated mixture like pie, pudding, jellies, and gravies or sauces. Starch thickeners are food additives that emulsifies when mixed with liquid at certain proportions. Unlike many starches, arrowroot turns clear as it sets and will not disrupt the color of dishes it is included in.

It is less likely to burn because it works under low temperature and can tolerate acidic ingredients or prolonged cooking. Freezing does not distress the solidified mixture formed using arrowroot powder. However, it does not blend well when integrated with dairy products as it produces a slimy mixture.

Other starches commonly used as substitutes or interchangeably with Arrowroot are: Tapioca Starch, Instant Clear Gel, Kudzu Powder, Potato Starch, Rice Starch and Flour. However, it should be noted that some of these starches may produce undesirable appearances or flavor compared to the use of Arrowroot in a recipe.

Bulk herbs like this are not only useful as a food additive, but also as an alternate to wheat flour in baking. Arrowroot is devoid of proteins as its basic composition is carbohydrates. This is the reason why food products made from arrowroot powder/flour is recommended for consumption by elders or infants with chronic stomach problems. It is the only starch with calcium ash, which contains compounds important for the proper maintenance of acid and alkali balances in the human body.

Arrowroot has little protein making it popular among vegetarians and people with special diet needs. It is specifically used as an article of diet in the form of biscuits, pudding, jellies, and cakes. It is customary in Korea to add arrowroot powder in beef tea, milk, veal broth and noodles.